Philadelphia [but Germany?]: Bey Ernst Lugwig Baisch, in der zweyten Strasse nahe bey der Rees-Strasse, 1775. 4to. [16], 708, 142, [1], [1 blank] pp. Contemporary sheep with clasps [rubbed and worn through at edges, chipped, rear clasps broken], raised spine bands, lacks front endpaper. Text tanned, scattered foxing. Occasional worm holes [no text loss], very light pencil markings on title page. Early ownership signature on front pastedown, "Ludwig Afflerbauch, His song Book, 1794." Dates of deaths of other Afflerbach [Afflerbauch] family members of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, written on verso of title page, including a mother and two young children who died within days of one another in October, 1801, possibly from the yellow fever which was rampant at that time. Good+.

The owner Ludwig Afflerbach [1758-1832] was a German immigrant who came to the United States in the 1770s. Family members listed inside the book include his wife Anna [1758-1801], son George [1791-1801], Elizabeth [1799-1801], and others. "Printed in Germany; cancel title page probably also printed in Germany. Cf. Goff, F.R. German folk bindings on 'Philadelphia' books of 1774." Gutenberg-Jahrbuch 1968, p. 324-330.Evans 14021. Hildeburn 3200. NAIP w018039 [6]. Item #29158